FNPF deal for growers

A LANDMARK agreement is being developed where canegrowers in the country will become members of the Fiji National Provident Fund.

Fund CEO Aisake Taito said negotiations were being held and an announcement will be made shortly.

"We are currently in the process of working things out with the Sugar Cane Growers Council on this issue and will make an announcement once discussions have been completed and an agreement is reached," Mr Taito said.

SCGC CEO Sundresh Chetty said under the deal, canegrowers would become members of the FNPF and their contributions would be deducted on an annual basis from cane proceeds.

Once completed, Mr Chetty said the agreement would herald a new chapter in growers' security by incorporating compulsory savings, something that was only available on a voluntary basis in the past.

Canegrowers in the Western Division have made repeated calls for compulsory FNPF membership and for deductions to be made from cane payments.

At an industry consultation held in Lautoka in February last year, many farmers said they would have retired comfortably with the savings earned had they been members of the fund during their productive years.